Dobrita Preda
From Galati to World Championships Glory
Dobrita began her rowing journey at the age of 14 when a coach spotted her potential due to body height in her hometown of Galati, Romania. Originally named Dobrita Preda, Dobrita quickly excelled at the youth level, making her debut representing Romania at the 1992 World Rowing Junior Championships in Montreal, Canada, where she won a bronze medal in the Women's Coxless Four.
Silver MEDALIST
1995 World Rowing Championships
2000 METERS
From Start to Finish
6.52.76 TIME
Elite Completion
A Powerful Debut on the Global Stage
In the 1993 season, Dobrita contributed to Romania's success by helping secure two silver medals in both the Women's Coxless Four and the Women's Eight Events at the World Rowing Junior Championships in Arungen, Norway. After her time with the Junior National Team, Dobrita experienced significant improvement, earning a place on the Senior National and Olympic Team. She represented Romania in the Women's Eight at the 1995 World Rowing Championships in Tampere, Finland where she claimed another silver medal.
From Athlete to Coach: Dobrita’s Impact in the U.S. Rowing Community
After retiring from international competition, Dobrita moved to the United States in 2006. Dobrita began her coaching career in 2012 at the Saugatuck Rowing Club, where she coached the Boys Junior Varsity Team. She guided and mentored numerous rowers helping them earn top finishes at local regattas in the Northeast. In 2012 and 2013, as a Master Rower, Dobrita represented Saugatuck at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, MA in the Women's 40+ Coxed Four, winning Gold Medals and setting a new Course Record that remains unbeaten to this day.
A Lasting Impact Through STAR Rowing
Following her coaching tenure at Saugatuck, Dobrita and her husband, Florian, envisioned creating a Premier rowing club in Connecticut in helping rowers of all backgrounds to achieve their best in the sport. In 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Dobrita and Florian established STAR Rowing Center LLC in New Haven County, CT located on the banks of the Housatonic River in Derby, CT. Dobrita continues to motivate, guide and support Junior Athletes in their goals of attending top Colleges and Universities in the United States